'Rosa cymosa Tratt.' rose photos

Gardeners Chronicle & New Horticulturist 37(955): 227 (Apr 15, 1905) ON A NEW CHINESE ROSE: R. SORBIFLORA Focke, n. sp. (Fig. 96.) I suggest this name because the inflorescence is like that of Sorbus. Inflorescence at the end of the branches, corymbose (branchlets many-flowered) as in Sorbus or Viburnum (fig. 96, B). Flowers about 1/2 inch (scarcely 2 cm.) in diameter. The outermost sepals often with filiform or trifid appendices. Styles elongated over the orifice of the receptable; fruits scarcely 5 mm. in diameter. Climber, 6 feet high. West Hupeh (coll. E. H. Wilson, 828). The new Rose, collected by Mr. E. H. Wilson in Central China, belongs to the section Banksiae, which has been characterised by Crepin as follows:— "Styles free included; stigmas forming a sessile head over the orifice of the receptacle; sepals entire, reflexed after flowering, caducous; inflorescence many-flowered, umbellate, with very small caducous bracts; stipules free, subulate, caducous; leaves on the flower-shoots 6 to 7-foliolate; stems sarmentose, prickles hooked, alternate." This description is founded on R. Banksiae, E. Br., the only hitherto known species of the group. After the discovery of a second species it must be modified as follows in the characters of styles, sepals, and inflorescence. The two species are closely allied, but they can be easily distinguished when in flower or in fruit. Rosa Banksiae, E. Br. Inflorescence at the top of the branches, subumbellate (branchlets one-flowered) (fig. 96, c). Flowers about 1 inch (3-4 cm.) in diameter. Sepals entire or the outermost occasionally with a few scattered small teeth. Styles included, the stigmas covering the orifice of the receptacle; fruits about 1/4 inch (8 mm.) in diameter. Hab. Central China. White and yellow-flowering double varieties cultivated in European gardens. W. O. Focke. Fig. 96.—ROSA SORBIFLORA: A NEWLY-DISCOVERED CHINESE ROSE A, flowering spray; B. inflorence of R. sorbiflora; C. simple inflorescence of R. Banksiae.